Who We Help
1. Traditional patients looking for general dental services.
Texas Special Care Dentistry helps many people and organizations
2. Patients who are afraid of having dentistry done and have put off their dental care. Click here to see how we help patients who are very frightened of the dentist.
3. Owners and nurses of facilities and group homes who have special needs adult patients who are required to have their resident's teeth taken care of. Click here to see how we help group facility staff.
4. Families who are looking for treatment of their relatives but are having trouble finding an office that can help. Click here to see how we care for special needs families.
5. Dentists and physicians who need to find an office that manages patients with diseases that may prevent the routine delivery of dental care. Click here to see how we help dentists and physicians.
Do you find a story similar to yourself, family member or friend below?
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Traditional patient: Looking for a new dentist
Traditional patients are those that do not have severe dental phobia or medical or dental conditions that require special expertise. They are looking for a dental office that can handle their needs which may include cleanings, fillings, crowns, root canals, dentures, gum care, implants and minor orthodontics.
Brian: Dental care phobia. Decay in his teeth.
Brian is 42 years old. Referred by a dentist for management of dental phobia. Brian wants all of his teeth repaired while asleep. His x-rays and examination reveal that he has 14 cavities. His fear has kept him away from dental care since he was a teenager. He keeps his teeth as clean as he can but the decay continued. Brian is somewhat embarrassed about his smile. Dr. Cockerell and his team present a treatment plan for Gary to have IV sedation and all of his fillings completed in one single setting. The procedure takes two and one half hours and a cleaning is also done. While Gary was asleep his teeth were also cleaned. Following the procedure Gary entered into a 4 month cleaning recall program. He is relieved to know that his decay has been stopped.
June: Alzheimer’s disease, decayed and fractured teeth. Unable to cooperate for dental care.
June is 76 years old and is brought to Dr. Cockerell by her daughter. For several years June has not been able to cooperate for dental care because of the Alzheimer’s disease. She presents with a loose tooth in her lower jaw in front and obvious heavy buildup of tartar on her teeth. Her family has noticed slight blood on her pillow in the mornings. Unfortunately, June will not allow an examination. Dr. Cockerell evaluated June and reviewed her medical history. Dr. Cockerell recommended IV sedation and an exploratory treatment procedure during which dental problems will be diagnosed, reviewed with the family and addressed resolved during the sedation. There were four teeth that needed extracting and a bridge that needed repairing. Also a cleaning was needed and a deep scale of the roots of the teeth. All of the procedures were done during the sedation. June woke from the IV sedation and went home about a half hour later where she recovered normally. No follow up was necessary and a one year recall examination was recommended. The family was relieved to know that their mother was not having further dental pain.
Robert: Severe heart disease and takes a blood thinner and several other medications. He has many dental needs.
Robert is 68 years old and has heart disease. His dentist felt he needed to be in a setting where his vital signs can be monitored during the delivery of his dental care. Robert needs some work on his gums and also some crown work. Dr. Cockerell arranged for a periodontist gum specialist to provide care at the same time that the crown work was done. IV sedation was provided for Robert during the procedure.
Mary: Several missing teeth, has an old top front bridge that is loose and some old dark fillings.
Mary is 38 and is about to start a new job and will meet the public. She doesn’t have time to sit for several dental appointments and wants to “get everything done as quickly as possible.” A treatment plan was created that included a new front tooth bridge, four implants and three crowns. All of the work was done in a single setting using IV sedation delivered by an anesthesiologist.
Stephen: Unknown dental condition
Stephen is 23 years and has severe autism. He is somewhat communicative but will not allow an examination. Stephen lives at a group home and his care-givers must make sure that he has no dental infection. He is seen by Dr. Cockerell on consultation who confirms that without IV sedation that will give oral access he cannot be cleared of dental infection. Stephen is scheduled for IV sedation. At the sedation appointment Stephen receives x-rays, an examination, photographs of his teeth and a dental cleaning. It is found that he has four cavities which are filled at that time. A full report of the findings and treatment was provided for Stephen’s record and he was placed on a recall for an annual similar procedure. The facility is relieved that they have arranged for Stephen to have his work done and has met the state requirement.
John: Swollen jaw, fever
John is 34 and is mentally challenged. He is frightened of the dentist and has not allowed any dental care but now something must be done. Dr. Cockerell is able to do an examination and can tell that there is a top right molar that is infected. There is other obvious dental problems that include infected gums and broken teeth. There is heavy buildup of tartar. The family requests care as soon as possible and John is placed on antibiotics and scheduled for IV sedation. During the procedure the tooth receives a root canal and he also receives a full mouth deep cleaning. The x-rays show other teeth that need extracting and some fillings. The extractions were done as well as the fillings at the appointment. John is scheduled for a second procedure in six months for finishing the dental care.
Melissa: Rampant decay, failing dental restorations
Melissa is 28 years old and has cerebral palsy. Her ability to take care of her teeth is limited. Her family tries to help her but she has high risk for decay. Twice within the past ten years she has had all of her teeth filled but now there are new problems. The family visits at length with Dr. Cockerell who recommends that, in order to have the best long term result, Melissa have all of her teeth extracted and implants placed and teeth placed in the same day. Melissa agrees and is scheduled for IV sedation at which time impressions and other dental records were made. About three weeks later Melissa was brought back to the office and during IV sedation a team of dentists and technicians managed her care. She woke up with new teeth, a beautiful smile and the expectations of decades of enjoyment of her teeth.